December 23-26, 2012 His grace is sufficient…

“For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” Luke 23: 31

“The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.” Luke 24: 7

     Okay, the holidays took over, and I am just now getting around to writing about the last 2 chapters of the book of Luke I have been reading through this month.  The verse from chapter 23 is new to me and particularly fascinating. I consider myself a little bit of a wordsmith (or at least I’d like to be one) and definitely a language junkie. I enjoy writing, reading, and seeing what people can do with languages in terms of how they choose to use them and the insight one can gain from words and the pictures it’s possible to paint with language.  The picture of the green and dry trees really puts the world in perspective in an important way for me.  These words came from Jesus right before his crucifixion when all the people convinced Pilate and Herod to kill Jesus even through they didn’t believe He had done anything that deserved the death penalty.  Men, unfortunately, have not changed much since the days Jesus walked the earth. If anything, we’ve become worse.  As the trees go dry, as we continue to destroy the earth and each other, we move closer and closer to the day He will return and take home those who have chosen Him over the world.  That’s why Jesus had to die because God knew we would continue to behave in these horrific ways and only the blood of His son could cover our many, many sins and give us a chance to be with God in heaven someday. Only His grace is sufficient.  If each of us could extend that type of grace and mercy to those we encounter on a daily basis, showing them kindness even when they don’t deserve it, helping someone even when we know they will not appreciate it, loving and serving someone else just because it’s the right thing to do and it’s what Jesus would do, we may just make a meaningful impact on this suffering world and put a smile on God’s face.  That’s what Jesus did for us, extended God’s grace and mercy to us even as the people God created were murdering Him.  Grace, I couldn’t be where I am in the world today or have any sort of peace in life without it.  I don’t deserve it, but I sure am glad that God decided to extend it to me anyway. Thank you, Jesus, for making the ultimate sacrifice for the world.  Happy 2012^th Birthday!